Occupational Therapist — Subclass 189 Pathway
Skilled Independent visa · Permanent
At a glance
- Visa
- Subclass 189 — Skilled Independent visa
- Points test
- Yes — points-tested via SkillSelect
- Sponsor
- No sponsor required
- Eligibility list
- MLTSSL
- Base fee
- from $4,640 (check immi.gov.au for current fee)
- Processing time
- ~8-15 months (median)
Skills assessment for this occupation
Assessing Occupational Therapist for migration purposes is handled by: OTC.
Each occupation has a single designated assessing authority — the one listed for the nominated ANZSCO code on this site.
Occupational Therapist × Subclass 189 — pathway overview
Occupational Therapist (ANZSCO 252411) appears on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), making it eligible for the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa — a permanent points-tested visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, state or territory government. The 189 visa is a points-tested visa and does not require employer sponsorship. Applicants must receive an invitation to apply through SkillSelect after submitting an Expression of Interest and achieving a sufficient points score. Invitations are issued from SkillSelect based on the applicant's points score, which is determined by factors such as age, English language proficiency, qualifications, and skilled work experience. A highly competitive score is typically needed. Before submitting an Expression of Interest, applicants must obtain a skills assessment from the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia via AHPRA confirming their qualifications are suitable for work as a Occupational Therapist in Australia. Standard health, character, and English language conditions apply. Registration with AHPRA is mandatory before commencing practice in Australia. For advice tailored to your individual circumstances, always consult a registered MARA migration agent.
Content last generated: 2026-06-26
Key requirements
High-level criteria for Subclass 189. Verify every requirement on immi.gov.au before applying.
- Under 45 years of age at invitation
- Competent English (IELTS 6 or equivalent)
- Positive skills assessment in a nominated MLTSSL occupation
- Submit Expression of Interest in SkillSelect and meet pass mark (currently 65, effective competitive minimum 90+)
- Health and character requirements
Other visa pathways for Occupational Therapist
- 186Details →Employer Nomination Scheme visa
Permanent employer-sponsored visa for workers nominated by an approved sponsor.
- 190Details →Skilled Nominated visa
Permanent visa for workers nominated by a state or territory government.
- 482Details →Skills in Demand visa
Employer-sponsored temporary visa (formerly TSS) for occupations on the relevant list.
- 485Details →Temporary Graduate visa
Post-study work visa for recent graduates of Australian qualifications.
- 491Details →Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa
Five-year provisional visa for workers willing to live and work in regional Australia.
- 494Details →Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa
Five-year employer-sponsored provisional visa in regional Australia, with a path to PR.
State nominations for Occupational Therapist
States currently nominating this occupation — see the dedicated pages for state-specific criteria.